Why not make 2025 the year you think outside the box? From nostalgic collectables to live shopping events, these fresh, left-field ideas could offer exciting new opportunities for your business.
Do you ever feel like marketing your vegan business is an uphill
battle because your budget doesn’t go far enough or you’re not sure
where to direct your spending?
We’ve got good news for you: you don’t need a big budget to make a
big impact. Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity and a
willingness to try something different to see big returns for a
small investment.
Why not make 2025 the year you think outside the box? From nostalgic
collectables to live shopping events, these fresh, left-field ideas
could offer exciting new opportunities for your business.
1. Collectables (cards, action figures, stickers, etc.)
What it is:
Remember the thrill of collecting something special as a child?
Whether it was trading cards, stickers, plush toys, badges, or tiny
figurines, they weren’t just fun, they were an obsession! Who can
forget negotiating swaps with friends or tearing open a new packet
with the hope of finding the jewel in your collection’s crown?
But guess what? It’s not just children who love collectables –
adults love them too, especially when tied to a meaningful cause.
(Experts say we’re all still chasing the dopamine hit of an
uncertain reward).
Various companies are using the nostalgia for collectables in their
marketing by creating collectable packaging and other products.
As vegan business owners, our challenge is to tap into the same
market ethically that doesn’t put mass-produced single-use items
into landfills.
How it could work for your vegan business:
Think about creating eco-friendly collectables like recipe cards,
animal-themed stickers, or digital trading cards. You could even try
“blind bag” surprises that customers can trade to complete a set
(perhaps a favourite product range).
The key? Keep it sustainable by using recycled materials or digital
formats to avoid waste. Done right, collectables can spark
excitement, nurture customer loyalty, and encourage repeat
purchases.
2. Live shopping events
What it is:
Live shopping is the modern evolution of classic TV shopping
channels. Hosts (this could be you!) showcase products in real time
on social media or e-commerce sites. Viewers can ask questions, see
live reviews, and instantly purchase through embedded links.
According to Statista, the live shopping market will double between
2023 and 2026, so now is the ideal time to capitalise on this trend.
How it could work for your vegan business:
Live shopping offers many exciting ways to showcase your vegan
products. Cooking demos using plant-based foods, beauty
demonstrations, live unboxings, or product tutorials would all work
well.
Hosting regular live events creates a sense of urgency and
excitement among your customers. With platforms like Instagram,
TikTok, and YouTube enabling live commerce, this approach offers an
accessible and affordable way to connect directly with your
audience, highlight product benefits, and make more sales.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) experiences
What it is:
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital
elements – like images, animations, text, or interactive features –
onto the real world through a smartphone, tablet, or AR headset. It
offers innovative ways for your customers to visualise and interact
with your products or brand that go far beyond traditional
marketing. (Click here to see how 14 household brands have been
using AR in their marketing.)
How it could work for your vegan business:
Imagine a customer scanning a QR code on your packaging and being
transported to a virtual sanctuary to “meet” the animals they’re
helping by choosing your products. Alternatively, you could
introduce customers to product makers or communities you support
with short AR videos associated with specific products.
Alternatively, you could use AR to show the environmental impact of
your offerings or let customers visualise recipes made with your
ingredients. AR tools like Overly or Adobe Aero are accessible and
affordable, making this a genuine option for small businesses.
4. Community drop-off, swap, or reward programmes
What it is:
Community drop-off schemes invite people to bring specific
items—such as packaging, paint, clothing, food, or electronics—to a
designated spot, often in exchange for a discount or small reward.
Swap events are another option, where participants trade unwanted
items like clothes or toiletries.
How it could work for your vegan business:
The nature of your business is likely to influence the kind of
community drop-off or swap programme you choose to run.
You could create a scheme to collect hard-to-recycle items like
plant milk cartons, for example, or encourage customers to return
your packaging for reuse. Alternatively, you could collect old
blankets and bedding for a local animal sanctuary or run a clothes
or craft materials swap.
While this may not directly lead to sales, it could help you to
create a community around your brand.
5. Gaming and gamification
What it is:
Gamification adds game-like elements (points, levels, or rewards) to
non-gaming activities. You could also collaborate on or create
simple games that reflect your brand’s values or educate people
about a cause close to your heart.
How it could work for your vegan business:
You could develop a game where players manage a vegan café or
sanctuary, unlocking recipes or learning about the needs of our
fellow animals.
Another option is to use gamification tools like quizzes,
challenges, or leaderboards to keep your audience engaged with your
content. For instance, a weekly quiz on your social media could
offer small prizes, such as discounts or branded merchandise.
Tools like Typeform, Mentimeter, Scratch or GameMaker make
gamification affordable and accessible.
6. Pop-up eco-art installations
What it is:
Temporary art installations made from upcycled or biodegradable
materials can powerfully tell a story about veganism,
sustainability, or animal freedom. A pop-up installation could also
be an immersive space for people to learn about your mission.
By incorporating QR codes or augmented reality elements, you can
provide visitors with additional information, such as your
fundraising campaigns, product details, or ways they can get
involved as volunteers.
How it could work for your vegan business:
Create a sculpture or space that visually represents the
environmental benefits of veganism or an interactive display about
rescued animals. You could host it at local markets, community
events, or outside your shop. Use QR codes to link visitors to your
website, product pages, or fundraising.
Visitors can snap photos, share them on social media, and create
memorable conversations about your brand.
7. DIY subscription boxes
What it is:
Subscription boxes with DIY kits let customers create something they
love at home – vegan cheeses, herb gardens, eco-friendly candles, or
clay pots are just a few examples. Alternatively, they can give
people a regular supply of an essential item (for example, vegan
deodorants like Wild or Fussy), usually at a slightly discounted
price.
The boxes tap into the growing trend of hands-on, sustainable
activities (in the UK right now, 29% of people pay for a box
subscription regularly!)
How it could work for your vegan business:
Depending on your business, you could send out a subscription box
that teaches your customers how to grow their own herb garden using
sustainable techniques or create delicious vegan cheeses using your
products. You could include branded tools or reusable packaging.
For each box, share educational content, such as the environmental
benefits of the featured activity or recipes that incorporate the
finished product. You could invite subscribers to share their
creations on social media.
If you sell essential products like toiletries or larder items, you
could offer them on a discounted subscription basis. Another idea
would be to let people mix and match from a range of items to
include in that month’s subscription box. They could also be
available as gifts (for example, parents might want to gift their
young person at university with a monthly health and beauty
essentials box).
As an ethical business, you must consider how to offer a
subscription box sustainably. One option is to offer a
click-and-collect service or use a local bike-based courier for
deliveries.
8. Micro-influencer collaborations
What it is:
Micro-influencers are individuals with smaller but highly engaged
audiences in specific niches, such as vegan parenting, thrifting
(which is increasingly popular in the UK), plant-based cooking,
foraging, or mending clothes. Compared to celebrity influencers,
micro-influencers offer authentic, affordable partnerships.
How it could work for your vegan business:
Partner with influencers who align with your brand’s mission. Send
them your products, like recipes or tutorials, to review or
incorporate into their content. Offer exclusive discounts for their
followers to drive sales and awareness. This creates authentic,
trust-building exposure without breaking the bank.
You may already know people in your network who could serve as
micro-influencers for your brand. If not, several companies (Brands
Meet Creators is one example) connect brands with influencers.
9. Digital gratitude walls
What it is:
A digital gratitude wall is an online space where customers can
share personal messages about what veganism, ethical living, or
specific products or services mean to them. This space could be a
page on your website or a pinned post on your favourite social media
platform.
Gratitude-focused messages are a great way to spread positivity
about your brand and celebrate the people within your community.
They should also help you reach new people inspired by these
messages.
How it could work for your vegan business:
Invite your customers to post or message you with their stories,
reflections, or photos of their vegan journey. For example,
customers might share how switching to plant-based products has
improved their health or how your eco-friendly items have helped
them reduce waste.
You could feature the most inspiring posts in newsletters, on social
media, or as part of your website’s testimonials.
10. Digital nomad hubs
What it is:
Digital nomad hubs are temporary co-working spaces designed for
remote workers. These pop-up spaces often partner with plant-based
cafés to provide healthy vegan meals and snacks.
In addition to providing a place to work or network, you could run
workshops, talks, or pop-up events on topics such as vegan living,
sustainability, or remote work strategies.
How it could work for your vegan business:
If you run a vegan café, wellness brand, or sustainability-focused
business, setting up a digital nomad hub could help you tap into the
growing remote work trend.
Partner with local plant-based eateries to provide meal packages or
discounts for nomads using your space. Offer benefits like fast
Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and quiet zones while branding the space
with your mission and values.
You could also host events, such as talks on vegan living or
skill-building workshops, to support the community using the hub.
Let 2025 be the year of left-field marketing!
Hopefully, these ten ideas have whetted your appetite for a creative
and unexpected approach to marketing your business in 2025. You can
explore many opportunities – from pop-up sample shops or virtual
treasure hunts to pay-it-forward campaigns or customer referral
schemes, as just a few bonus ideas. In theory, the only limit is
your imagination! If you’re stuck for ideas, check what’s trending
on TikTok, as the platform has become a major driver of broader
social trends.
The secret to success is always keeping your audience in mind. Get
to know them and what matters to them, then create opportunities for
them to share what they love with your brand. This is where being a
small business can be your superpower.